New King James Version
2 Corinthians 12:14
14Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
2 Corinthians 12:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
- New International Version (NIV)Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children.
Context of 2 Corinthians 12:14
12Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 13For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 16But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
Read all of 2 Corinthians 122 Corinthians 12:14 word by word
Ἰδοὺ τρίτον τοῦτο ἑτοίμως ἔχω ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ οὐ καταναρκήσω οὐ γὰρ ζητῶ τὰ ὑμῶν ἀλλ᾽ ὑμᾶς. οὐ γὰρ ὀφείλει τὰ τέκνα τοῖς γονεῦσιν θησαυρίζειν ἀλλ᾽ οἱ γονεῖς τοῖς τέκνοις·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Beholdὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- the third timeτρίτοςtritos · thirdG5154
- I amἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- readyἑτοίμωςhetoimōs · readilyG2093
- to comeἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
- toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- youσύsu · youG4771
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- I willκαταναρκάομαιkatanarkaō · to burdenG2655
- notοὐou · noG3756
- forγάρgar · forG1063
- I seekζητέωzēteō · to seekG2212
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- the childrenτέκνονteknon · childG5043
- oughtὀφείλωopheilō opheileō · to oweG3784
- to lay upθησαυρίζωthēsaurizō · to store upG2343
- for the parentsγονεύςgoneus · parentG1118
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:14
- 2 Corinthians 1:15And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit—
- 2 Corinthians 13:1This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
- 1 Corinthians 11:34But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
- 1 Corinthians 16:5Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia).
- Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
- Acts 20:33I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
- 1 Corinthians 10:33just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
- Philippians 4:1Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.
- 1 Peter 5:2Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
- Genesis 24:35The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
- Genesis 31:14Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?
- Proverbs 13:22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
- Proverbs 19:14Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 4:14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14The third time I am ready - That is, this is the third time that I am ready - have formed the resolution, to visit you. He had formed this resolution twice before, but was disappointed. See 1 Corinthians 16:5, and 2 Corinthians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 1:16. He now formed it a third time, having more probability of seeing them now than he had before. See 2 Corinthians 13:2. I seek not yours, but you - I seek your salvation, I desire not your property; others…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you - That is, this is the third time that I have purposed to come and see you, and have made preparation for it. He does not mean that he had been twice with them and was now coming the third time, but that he had twice before intended to go and had been disappointed; see 1 Corinthians 16:5; 2 Corinthians 1:15-16. His purpose had been to visit them on his way to Macedonia and again on his return from…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-21Verses 11-21 We owe it to good men, to stand up in the defence of their reputation; and we are under special obligations to those from whom we have received benefit, especially spiritual benefit, to own them as instruments in God's hand of good to us. Here is an account of the apostle's behaviour and kind intentions; in which see the character of a faithful minister of the gospel. This was his great aim and design, to do good. Here are noticed several…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-15a third time: Paul's first visit was when he first preached in Corinth (Acts 18:1–18). The second was an unexpected "painful visit" (2 Corinthians 2:1). Paul hopes the next visit will be happier, but there is still some distrust. They need to clear the air. I will not be a burden: Paul did not want their money. He wanted them to fully accept his authority. He was willing to give his time and energy for them instead of taking payment.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. the third time--See Introduction to the first Epistle. His second visit was probably a short one (1Co 16:7), and attended with humiliation through the scandalous conduct of some of his converts (compare 2Co 12:21; 2Co 2:1). It was probably paid during his three years' sojourn at Ephesus, from which he could pass so readily by sea to Corinth (compare 2Co 1:15, 16; 13:1, 2). The context here implies nothing of a third preparation to come; but, "I am…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries